Both the firm's crushing market dominance and Gates' dazzling personal net worth led to a bizarre counter-effect: the hagiography of
Apple Computer
Chief Executive Steve Jobs, often held up by Mac and iPod faithful as a sort of counter-culture celebrity "anti-Gates"--despite his own vast fortune.

Another effect of Gates' wealth was a surprising realpolitik assessment. Through The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the philanthropic organization he started with his wife, the billionaire has inarguably done enormous good throughout the world, supporting educational, medical and relief efforts in some of the world's poorest areas--and hasn't forgotten the needy back home in the U.S.

Thus, the quasi-philosophical debate still rages: Who has done more good for the world, Gates--or Mother Teresa?

Less existential are the questions of corporate succession. According to reports, the firm's Chief Technical Officer Ray Ozzie will immediately assume Gate's CSA title, and begin working tête-à-tête with Gates on supervising all software technical design.

Chief Technical Officer Craig Mundie will immediately take the new title of chief research and strategy officer. He'll work with Gates in these areas, and also will partner with general counsel Brad Smith to steer the firm's intellectual property and technology policy efforts.

As to why Gates is leaving: He said he's making the move in order to spend more time on his global health and education work at the foundation. Microsoft's loss just might be the world's gain.